Search-light



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shet 1.

A. E. GOLGATE. SEARCH LIGHT.

No. 573,962. Patented 1360.29, 1896.

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1H: Noam Peraws co. Now-umn., wAsnwsYon. u, c,

(No Model.) 2 sheets-Shee-n'z. Y lA. E. GOLGATB.

SEARCH LIGHT.

Patented Deo. 29, 1896.

Kwik/wwwa Coy g1/www0@ owls @EMPC/i attowm l UNITED lSTATES PATENT OEEICE.

.ARTHUR E. COLGATE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE J. SOHOEFFEL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SEARCH-LIGHT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,962, dated December 29, 1896.

Application filed December 24, 1895. Serial No. 573,178. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. COLGATE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Search-Lights, of which the following is a speciication.

The object of myinventon is to produce a search-light which will be of comparatively little weight, to enable the apparatus to be readily carried about, and one which will be cheap in construction and simple and effective in operation. One of the main objections to search-lights as heretofore constructed is the heavy weight, making the apparatus necessarily a stationary fixture. Furthermore, they have been very expensive, and mainly on account of these two objections searchlights have not gone into extensive use on vessels outside of naval ships. Vessels engaged in transportation do not require powerful search-lights capable of throwin ga beam of light a long distance, as is done by the search-lights at present in use, but what they require is a search-light capable of throwing a beam of light about half a mile, which would be sufficient for all purposes, and particularly in entering harbors. Such a light should also be comparatively light and portable, in order that the apparatus may be readily carried about from place to place on a vessel, as circumstances may require. Such a search-light I have produced, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of the arc-lamp ap paratus of my search-light, the casing being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the arc-lamp apparatus. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the magnet for striking the arc, and Figs. 4 and 5 are details of the clutch mechanism for operating the feed mechanism.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, Arepresents the casing, and B the glass cap, held in place by a ring b, which is provided with a series of slots b', which engage with pins b2 on the casing, forming a bayonet-joint for holding the glass B in place. The rear of the casing A is provided with a hinged cap A', hinged at the under side at a and provided with a screw or catch a at the top for locking the cap. Within the cap A is contained the mirror O, which is carried vby a slide c, working through a sleeve c at the back of the cap A'. On the outer end of the slide c a handle c2 is provided for adjusting the mirror. The slide cis provided with a spline c3, which works in a channel cutin the sleeve c to prevent the slide from turning. The sleeve c is also provided with a groove c4, in which is a spring c5, pressing against the slide. The slide works freely through the sleeve c', and the spring c5 is provided to prevent the slide from wabbling in the sleeve. By providing the cap A' the parts of the arc-lamp are made readily accessible.

The arc-lamp mechanism is situated lengthwise in the casing with the carbons at an angle to the mirror, as indicated in Fig. l, the center of the arc being coincident with the center of the mirror.

P and N are the positive and negative carbons of the lamp, the negative carbon being shown as quite short and considerably larger in diameter than the positive carbon. By providing a negative carbon which is much larger in diameter than the positive carbon the reduction in its length due to the consumption of the carbon is relatively slow, and hence the arc remains practically in line with the center of the mirror. Afurther advantage in having one carbon larger in diameter than the other is that in the consumption of the larger one a concave surface is produced which acts to reflect the light,and when placed in the position shown in Fig. l the larger carbon will be consumed more rapidly on its upper side, resulting in au inclined concave surface which reflects the light toward the center of the mirror. The arrangement of the carbons illustrated also results in a long arc which causes the carbon of smaller diameter to be consumed in such manner as to produce a long slender point, which allows the larger carbon to reflect the light-rays into the mirror with less obstruction. The carbon of smaller diameter is more rapidly consumed by this arrangement, but since their cost is quitesmall and since it is desirable to have the mirror throw as strong IOO a beam of light as possible lthis objection is more than eounterbala-nced.

The negative carbon is carried by the clamp n., which is provided with a split sleeve n, Fitting over a stem n?. The stem nF is made in two parts insulated from each other by a sleeve of insulatingI material ir", the whole being carried by the collar n l, mounted upon a sliding rod n, ll`ig. 3. This rod slides through. the end piece a; ol' the frame and through the yoke l of the series magnet l), whose armature d' is rigidly secured to the rod ai. Between the yoke (l and the armature d' is a spiral spring d?, and the l'ree end ofthe rod 11"" has a bearing in the piece .r' ol Athe frame.

The magnet l) .is in series with the are, and when the current Ais turned on this magnet is energized, causing it to attract its armature tl', which moves the rod nf to the lel't, carrying the negative carbon with it, separating the carbons and striking the are. To prevent the armature dl lrom rotating, l provide a brass pin d, which is inserted into the eorepiece of the magnet and passes through a hole in the armature, thus acting as a guide and preventing the rotation of the armature, and hence holding the negative carbon in line with the positive carbon.

The positive carbon P is carried by a holder consisting of a split sleeve p and a clampingeol la1p,\vliich engages with the screw-th read on the sleeve j), as indicated in Fig, l.. rlhe sleeve Yp has an. extension in the form of a split sleeve 172, similar to the sleeve n ot' the negative-carbon holder, and the sleeve p9 lits over a stem yi, insulated by a sleeve pl, the whole being carried by a collar p5, provided with an internal screw-thread and traveling on the feed-screw E. 'lo prevent the positive carbon moving laterally and to prevent the colla-r pl rotating on the feed-screw, I provide a spri1'igtoot p, which extends crosswise of the frame.

The feed-screw E is carried inthe bearings .11 and :idol' the frame and has a thread ol lon pitch. This Vfeed-screw is provided with a hand :leed-wheel c, rigidly secured thereto, and for automatically operating the feedscrcw l provide a clutch mechanism, which is operated by a shunt-magnet F, carried underneath the series magnet D and supported by the end piece a; olf the frame. The armature j ot' this magnet is pivoted at one end at j, Fig. 2, and at thelfree end has attached to 1" is drawn away t rom the magnet F by a spiral spring ff, the tension of which is adjustable by means of a screw j, to which one end oi' the spring is attached. The movement of the avarice armature away from its magnet islimiltal by a stop-screwfl, and at the l'ree end oli' the armature is carried a fork 7l., insulated from the armature by a block ol' insulation 7l'. lhe fork 71. operates a cireuit-controller in the shunt-circuit. This eircuit-controller consists of an adjustable stationary contact l', carried bythe bracket yi', and a spring-pressed movable contactcarried bythe bracket i, having a sleeve within which the stem il" el the contact i? slides, and this stem is provided with a pin il, between which and the` bracket i is a spiral syn'ing'l', which tends lo hold the contacts 'i and if? in contact. At the end nearest the armature j" the stem i is provided with a head f7, with which the t'ork /l` oli' the armature engages. shown, the l'ork 7l, is free to move a short distance betere it engages the head '17, when the armature j" is attracted by its magnet. lhe movement el' the armature j' toward its magnet gradually accelerates, and the object ol:l the l'ree meve ment between the fork it and the head is lo have the :fork engage the head only when the armature is moving quite rapidly. 'lhus the opening of the sluuit-circnit will he willi a quick snap, reducing the spark at the contacts. llerctolore in opening a slulnt-cireuit by the movement ol' the armature ot the shtml-- magnet one ol the contacts was carried either directly by the armature or operated dirccl ly by the armature, so that the contacts sepaA rated so soon as the arnmture began te move, which resulted in a slow separation ol,l the contacts. On the return movement of lhc armature through the springf the armature moves very rapidly, and since the tension et' thespringj/l is considerablygreater than that ol the spring the l'ork li and head 7 will separate, leavingl the spring F free to force the contact fi :'Lgainst the contact l' without interference. Thustheshunt-circuitisclosed by a quick snap and indcpem'lently ol' lhe movement,- ol the armaturcj". 'lhe brackets f1.7 and i are insulated vfrom the main frame by sheets ol insulating material le, Fig. l.

'lhc clutch mechanism L (illustrated in dw tail in Figs. ll and consists of a [lange l, having the hub Z surrounding the [corkscrew E and to which it is rigidly attached. (.)n cach side oli' the llange l, and working on the hub Z, are two collars l?, having long arms I on one side ofthe shalt and short arms ll on the other side. The long arms l are connected together by a screw, between which and the lrame ot the machine a stating /f is attached. livoted between the short arms /l is a cam-lever Il", te which the chain g/ is alf tached. -When the armature j is attracted by its magnet, the chain is drawn `forward, which action pulls the lever l" downward, tilt- 'ing the same on its pivot and eausil'ig its cam edge to iinpinge against the llange l, and the continued forward movement ol' the chain r/ causes the shaft E to be rotated through the engagement o'lj the llange l and the lever l".

IIC

' leased the spring Z5 returns the clutch mech- This movement tilts the long arms Z3 upward, l placing the spring Z under increased tension, and when the pull on the armature f is reanism to its normal position. The lever l is provided with'a finger ll, which engages with a pin ZS on the bearing mi. The object of linger Z"- and pin ZS is to throw levert out of eni gagement with flange Zwhen the parts are returned to their normal positions in order that the hand-feed may be operated, if necessary.

The circuit connections are as follows: from binding-post I by wire 2 to stem p3 to positive carbon, to negative and stem n2 and by wire 3 through the series magnet D and wire 4 to binding-post 5. The shunt-circuit is from binding-post l by wire 6 to shuntmagnet F and wire 7 to stem n2.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When the current is turned on, the series magnet D is energized, which, as before explained, draws the negative carbon away from the positive carbon and strikes the arc. When the resistance of the arc increases, the shunt-magnet F will become sufficiently energized to attract its armature f, (the shuntcircuit being closed at the contactst' and 12,) and the movement of the armature f actuates the clutch mechanism which rotates the feedscrew E, feeding collar p5 forward and advancing the positive carbon. When the armature f is near the end of its forward movement and when its rate of movement is accelerated, the fork 7L engages the head i7 and opens the shunt-circuit. The spring f2 then retracts the armaturef, permitting the shuntcircuit to close again through the action of spring '275, and this action is repeated when the resistance of the arcincreases again through the further consumption of the carbons.

lVhat I claim is-- I. In an arc-lamp, the combination with the carbons, one of which is held stationary when the are is formed and the other being movable, of a feed-screw for said movable carbon, a clutch for said feed-screw, a shunt-magnet for operating said'feed-screw through said clutch, a circuit-controller in the shunt-circuit operated by the armature of said shuntmagnet to open the circuit, and means for operating said controller to close the circuit independently of the movement of the armature, substantially as set forth.

2. In au arc-lamp, the combination with the carbons anda feed-screw therefor, of a clutch for said feed-screw, said clutch consisting of a circular iiange and a pivoted arm having a cam edge for engaging` the periphery of said flange, a shunt-magnet, and a connection between said pivoted arm and the armature of said magnet whereby when the armature moves in one direction the pivoted arm is caused to grip the circular iange and rotate the feed-screw, substantially as set forth.

3. In an arc-lamp, the combination with the earbons and a feed-screw therefor, of a clutch for said feed-screw, said clutch consisting of a circular fiange and a pivoted arm having a camedge for engaging the periphery of said Hange, a shun t-magnet foractuating said pivoted arm to rotate the feed-screw, separate means for operating said feed-screw by hand, and means for normally holding said iiangc and pivoted arm out of engagement to permit the operation of the hand-feed, substantially as set forth.

4. In an arc-lamp, the combination with the earbons and a feeding device therefor, of a clutch operated by a shunt-magnet for automatically actuating said feeding device, separate means for operating said feeding device by hand, and a finger Z7 engaging a stationary stop ZVS for throwing said clutch out of engagement in its normal position to permit the operation of the hand-feed, substantially as set forth.

5. In au arc-lam p, the combination with the carbons and a feeding device therefor, of a series magnet for striking the arc, said magnet having an armature carried by a springpressed sliding rod, a carbon-holder for one of the carbons extending out to one side of said sliding rod, and a stationary non-magnetic pin projecting from one of the poles of said magnet and with which said armature engages for preventing lateral movements of the carbon-holders, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with an arc-lamp, of a shunt-magnet for operating the feeding mechanism for the carbons, and a circuit-controller for the sh unt-magnet comprising a stationary contact, a laterally-moving contact engaging therewith operated by the armature of the shunt-magnet when near the end of its movement, and aspring surrounding said movable contact to close the circuit independent of the movement of the armature away from its magnet, substantially as set forth.

7. In carbon-holders for arc-lamps, the combination with the holder or clamp, of a split sleeve upon which the holder is mounted, an insulated stem or rod upon which said sleeve is forced, and a pin carried by said stem which enters slots in said sleeve to prevent the sleeve turning on said stem, substantially as set forth.

S. In carbon-holders for arc-lamps,tl1e combination of a split sleeve p in which the carbon is placed, a clamping-collar p engaging over said split sleeve p for clamping the same on the carbon, a split sleeve p2 secured to the split sleeve p, and an insulated stem p3 engaging within said split sleeve p2, substantially as set forth.

9. In a search-light, the combination of a casing, a reiiector in said casing, an arc-lamp whose carbons are arranged obliquely and lying in a plane at right angles to the reflector, one of said carbons beingheld stationary ICO IIO

when the are i5 formed and the other being Cuit independently ol.' the movement nl' the movable, of a feed-screw 'for said movable ml'nnture, Substzmtally :1S set AIforth. x carbon, a clutch forsa'id feed-screw, a shuniax This speeieatiou signed and Witneesml this` magneti'or operatingsadifeed-serewthrough i l31st day of December, 1895.

5 Said Clutch, n eilfeut-eoutrollelinthe Shunt- ,NI'VIIUR TC. (OLH/XIH. ereuib operated by the armature of said \\'itnesses: shunt-umgnet to open the e'u'cuta, and means \V. PELZER,

'm operating said eontollm To @lose The er- 1 'EUGENE CONRAN. 

